The Indian Cricket team have sweet memories at Lord”s Cricket ground which includes the 1983 World Cup win under the captaincy of Kapil Dev, winning the Natwest Series tournament in 2002.
The Lords Cricket Ground is called the Mecca of Cricket. Under various captains, the Indian Cricket team does not have a great record in test matches playing 17 test matches at Lords, winning twice, draw four times and losing rest of matches.
After losing the first test match at Edgbaston by 31 runs, Under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, Indian Cricket team will take on England in the 2nd test match at Lords from 9th August 2018 with a hope to level the series.
Here we look at the history of India’s performance in test matches at Lords
1. 1932
India played its first test match against England on 25th June 1932 and finished on 28th England captain DR Jardine won the toss and decided to bat first. Contributions from captain Jardine who scored 79, Ames 65 helped the hosts England post 259 runs. For India, M Nissar took 5 wickets.
In reply, the Indian captain CK Nayudu made 40, Wazir Ali 31, Namool Jaoomal 33 did not help the cause as India were bowled out for 189. England took a lead of 70 runs. In England’s 2nd innings, captain Jardine again contributed with 85 runs, Paynter 54 helped England declare their innings on 275 for 8. Jahangir Khan took 4 wickets in the 2nd innings.
Chasing a target of 346 runs to win, India were bowled out for 187. Amar Singh was the top scorer with 51. England won the match by 158 runs.
2. 1936
India took against England at Lords in the 3rd test match played from 15th August and finished on 18th England captain Allen won the toss and decided to bat first. A Brilliant 217 by Hammond, Worthington 128 helped England declare their innings on 471 for 8. For India, M Nissar took 5 wickets.
India was bowled out for 222 in their first innings. Vijay Merchant and Mushtaq Ali scored 52 runs each. England asked India to follow on. In India’s second innings, CK Nayudu made 81 runs and other batsmen got starts but did not score big. India was bowled out for 312 runs. England chased down the target of 64 with 9 wickets to spare.
3. 1946
India’s poor form continued at the Lords Cricket Ground with a 10 wicket loss against England in the 1st test match from 22nd June 1946 and finished on 25th June with 23rd as a rest day. In this match, Nawab of Pataudi Senior won the toss and decided to bat first. The Indian batsmen failed as RS Modi 57 not out, Vijay Hazare 31, Kardar 43 were the main contributors. India was bowled out for 200.
In reply, Hardstaff Junior made a brilliant 205 not out, along with Gibb 60 helped England post 428 runs in the first innings. For India, Lala Amarnath took 5 wickets. England got a lead of 228. In their second innings, MH Mankad made 63, Lala Amarnath 50 helped India post 275 runs in 2nd innings. England chased down the target of 48 with 10 wickets to spare.
4. 1952
The 2nd test match was played between India and England from 19th June 1952. In this match, Indian captain Vijay Hazare won the toss and decided to bat first. Apart from MH Mankad 72, captain Vijay Hazare 69, Indian team were bowled out for 235 in the first innings.
Len Hutton 150, TG Evans 104 and useful contributions from other batsmen helped England post a massive total of 537 runs. MH Mankad took 5 wickets. England got a massive lead of 302 runs. In their second innings, MH Mankad scored a brilliant 184, captain Vijay Hazare with 49 runs and Ramchand helped India post 378 runs.
England was given a target of 79 runs and chased it down with 8 wickets to spare.
5. 1959
India played another match at Lords Cricket Ground in the 2nd test match of 1959 tour against England from 18th It was a low scoring match. In this match, Indian captain Pankaj Roy won the toss and decided to bat first. Despite Nari Contractor 81 and JM Ghorpade 41, the Indian cricket team were bowled out for 168 runs.
The Indian bowlers showed discipline with RB Desai picking 5 wickets, Surendranth 3 and Gupte 2 helped them dismiss England for 226 runs. England got a lead of 58 runs. In their second innings, Indian batsmen failed again apart Vijay Manjekar 61, Kripal Singh 41. India was bowled out for 165.
England chased down the target of 108 runs with 8 wickets to spare. Cowdrey scored 63 not out along with May 33.
6. 1967
India played another match at the historic Lords Cricket Ground against hosts England in the 2nd test match from 22nd July 1967. Under the captaincy of MAK Pataudi, the Indian cricket team lost the match.
Apart from captain Ajit Wadekar 57, Sardesi 28, the Indian cricket team were bowled out cheaply for 152. England first innings was a big one as Graveney made 151, Barrington 97 helped hosts to post 386 runs. For India, BS Chandershekar took 5 wickets. England got a lead of 234 runs.
In their second innings, India has bowled again cheaply for 110 runs. BM Kunderan was the top scorer with 47. India lost the match by an innings and 124 runs.
7. 1971
In the 1971 test tour of England, India played at Lords in the first test match from 22nd July 1971. England captain Richard Illingworth won the toss and decided to bat first. The match ended in a draw. In their first innings, Allan Knott made 67, Snow 77, captain Illingworth 33 helped England post 304. For India, Bishan Singh Bedi took 4 wickets, BS Chandershekar 3 wickets. In reply, captain Ajit Wadekar made 85, GR Vishwanath 68, Solkar 67 helped India post 313 with a lead of just 9 runs.
In the second innings, a brilliant spell by spin trio of Bishan Singh Bedi, BS Chandershekar and Venkataraghvan helped India bowl out England for 191. India was set a target of 183 runs to win. Sunil Gavaskar 53 and Farkooh Engineer 35 was not enough for the visitors to win the match. The match ended in a draw with the score at 145 for 8.
8. 1974
Under the captaincy of Ajit Wadekar, India took on England at Lords Cricket Ground in the 2nd test match played from 20th June 1974. England captain Mike Denness won the toss and decided to bat first. Brilliant knocks by Amiss who scored 188, Edrich 96, David Lloyd 46, captain Mike Denness 118, Greig 106 helped England post a massive total of 629 runs. For India, Bishan Singh Bedi picked 6 wickets.
In reply, Farkooh Engineer 86, Sunil Gavaskar 49, GR Vishwanath 52, Solkar 43 could not help India bowl out cheaply for 302. England asked India to follow on. In their 2nd innings, India was bowled out for just 42 runs. India lost the match by an innings and 285 runs.
9. 1979
India took on England in the 4th test match of the series at Lords played between 30th August to 4th September 1979. England captain JM Brearley won the toss and decided to bat first. Gooch 79, P Willey 52, Ian Botham 38, captain Brearley 34 helped England post 305 runs in the first innings. For India, Kapil Dev and Venkataraghavan picked 3 wickets each. Bishan Singh Bedi and Ghavri took 2 wickets each.
Apart from GR Vishwanath who scored 62 runs, other Indian batsmen failed and were bowled out for 202. England got a lead of 103 runs. In their second innings, Boycott made a brilliant 125, Bairstow 59, Edomonds 27 not out helped England post 334 for 8 declare. India was given of 438 runs. Sunil Gavaskar marathon 221, Chetan Chauhan 80, Vengsarkar 52 almost took India to the target of 438. India made 429 for 8. The match ended in a draw.
Dilip Vengsarkar – Lord of Lord’s
10. 1982
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Another test match was played by India at Lords against England from 10th June 1982. In this match, Bob Willis won the toss and decided to bat first. A great batting display by the hosts with Randall scoring 126, Ian Botham 67, Edmonds 64, Allot 41 and Bob Willis 28 not out helped England post 433 runs. For India, Kapil Dev took 5 for 125.
Apart from Sunil Gavaskar 48 and Kapil Dev 41, none of the Indian batsmen contributed. India was bowled out for 128 runs in the first innings. England got a lead of 305 runs. India was asked to follow on. Dilip Vengsarkar 157, Kapil Dev 89 and contributions from other batsmen helped India score 369 runs in the 2nd innings. England was given a target of 65 runs.
Despite Kapil Dev 3 wickets, England chased down the target with 7 wickets to spare.
11. 1986
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Under the captaincy of Kapil Dev, India registered their first test win over England at iconic Lords Cricket Ground from 5th In that match, Indian captain Kapil Dev won the toss and decided to field first.
A great bowling effort by the Indian bowlers helped the hosts to restrict 294. Graeme Gooch was the top scorer with 114, Pringle 63. For India, Chetan Sharma took 5 wickets, Roger Binny 3 wickets. Dilip Vengsarkar 126 not out, Mohinder Amarnath 69, helped India post 341 runs in the first innings. India got a lead of 47 runs in the first innings.
Kapil Dev 4 wickets, Maninder Singh 3 wickets and a brilliant bowling by other Indian bowlers helped bowl out England for just 180 runs. Mike Gatting was the top scorer with 40. Chasing 134 runs to win, the contribution from Dilip Vengsarkar scoring 33, Kapil Dev 23 and Ravi Shastri 20 not out helped India register a 5 wicket win.
12. 1990
It was a disappointing performance by the Indian team in the 1st test match against England at Lords from 26th July 1990. Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin won the toss and decided to field first. Graeme Gooch 333, Allan Lamb 139 and Robin Smith 100 not out helped hosts England post a massive total of 653 for 4 declared.
Ravi Shastri 100, Mohammed Azharuddin 121, Kapil Dev 77 not out helped team India post a total of 454 runs. England got a lead of 199 runs. In their second innings, Gooch was among the runs with 123, Atherton 72 helped the hosts England declare the innings on 272 for 4. India was given a target of 472 runs to win. None of the Indian batsmen was able to score runs. Mohammed Azharuddin made 37, Dilip Vengsarkar 35 and SK Sharma 38. England bowled out India for 224. India lost the match by a massive 247 runs.
13. 1996
Sourav Ganguly celebrates a century on Test debut as Rahul Dravid applauds ©Getty Images
India took on England in the 2nd test match at Lords Cricket Ground from 20th June 1996. In this match, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid made their test debuts. In this match, Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin won the toss and decided to field first. Graeme Thrope 89, Jack Russell 124, helped England post 344 runs in the first innings.
For India Ventaksh Prasad took 5 wickets. A great 131 runs by debutant Sourav Ganguly and 95 runs by Rahul Dravid helped team India post a massive total of 429 runs. India got a lead of 85 runs. In their second innings, England declared their innings on 278 for 9. Anil Kumble took 3 wickets in 2nd innings. The match ended in a draw.
14. 2002
India took on England at Lords Cricket Ground in a first test match from 25th July 2002. England captain Nasser Hussain won the toss and decided to bat first. Captain Naseer Hussain led from the front scoring 155, John Crawley 64, Andrew Flintoff 59, Craig White 53, Simon Jones 44 helped hosts England post a massive total of 487. For India, Zaheer Khan and Anil Kumble picked 3 wickets each, 2 by Ajit Agarkar, 1 each by Nehra and Virender Sehwag.
Virender Sehwag scored 84, Rahul Dravid 46, VVS Laxman 43 did not help the cause as India were bowled out for 221. England got a lead of 266 runs. In their second innings, Vaughan 100, John Crawley 100 not out helped the hosts to declare at 301 for 6. Anil Kumble took 3 wickets in the 2nd innings.
Chasing a massive target of 568 runs to win, Rahul Dravid 63, Wasim Jaffer 53, VVS Laxman 74 and a brilliant 109 not out by Ajit Agarkar was not enough for India to lose the match. England bowled out India for 397 runs. India lost the match by 170 runs.
15. 2007
On the 2007 tour of England, India faced the hosts at Lords in the 1st test match played from 19th to 23rd England captain Michael Vaughan won the toss and decided to bat first. A great bowling performance from the Indian bowlers helped to restrict England to 298 in the first innings.
Andrew Strauss was the top scorer with 96, captain Vaughan scored 79, Cook 36, Pietersen made 37. For India, Sreesanth took 3 wickets, Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble and RP Singh took 2 wickets each, Sourav Ganguly 1.
The hosts England bowled India for just 201 runs. Wasim Jaffer was the top scorer with 58, Sachin Tendulkar with 37, Sourav Ganguly 34. England got a lead of 97 runs in first innings. In their second innings, England posted 282 runs with Pietersen scoring 134, Matt Prior 42, captain Vaughan 30. Zaheer Khan took 4 wickets while RP Singh took 5 wickets.
India were given a target of 380 runs to win. Dinesh Karthik made 60, Ganguly 40, VVS Laxman 39. On the last day, MS Dhoni and Sreesanth partnership ensured that India drew the match with rain coming.
16. July 2011
India took on England in the first test match of series played at Lords from 21st to 25th July 2011. The Indian captain MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bowl first. India’s prime fast bowler Zaheer Khan was ruled of test match due to an injury.
A Brilliant 202 not out from Kevin Pietersen, 70 from Jonthan Trott, Matt Prior 71, Ian Bell 45 helped England post a massive total of 474 for 8 declared. Praveen Kumar picked 5 for 106. Apart from Rahul 103 not out, none of the Indian batsmen contributed big runs and were bowled out for 286 runs in the first innings.
England got a lead of 188 runs. In the second innings, England were struggling at 107 for 6 but Matt Prior 103 not out and Stuart Broad 74 not out helped the hosts to declare at 269 for 6. For India, Ishant Sharma picked 4/59 in second innings.
Chasing a massive target of 458 runs to win, VVS Laxman 56, Suresh Raina 78, Rahul Dravid 36 was not enough for India to lose the match by 196 runs. India were bowled out for 261 runs.
17. July 2014
India took on England in the 2nd test match at famous Lords Cricket Ground, London from 17th July 2014. In that match England captain, Alastair Cook won the toss and decided to field first.
A great century 103 runs by Ajiynka Rahane on a green pitch and useful 36 runs from Bhuvneshwar Kumar helped team India post 295 runs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 6 for 82 and helped India restrict England’s lead to only 24 runs. For England, Gary Ballance scored 110, Moeen Ali 32, Liam Plunkett 55, Matt Prior scored 23.
Murali Vijay patient 95, Pujara 43 and lower order contribution from Ravindra Jadeja who scored 68, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 52, helped team India to post 342 runs in the second innings. England was given a target of 319 runs to win. A superb spell by Ishant Sharma who took career best of 7/ 74 helped team India bowl out England for 223. India won the match by 95 runs. Joe Root was the top scorer for England in the 2nd innings with 66.
The match finished on the 5th day. For his match winning spell, Ishant Sharma was named as man of the match.